Wedding
Getting to the Wedding
The wedding festivities will be held in Lima, Peru starting the night of May 5th with welcome drinks and lasting into the morning of May 7th for the ceremony and reception (let’s party!).
There are many direct flights that will take you directly into Lima’s Jorge Chavez International Airport. From the airport to your hotel we recommend taking an Uber or an officially sanctioned taxi which you can find near the luggage claim (before exiting the airport itself). You will see counters with 3 different companies all which are sanctioned by the airport and safe. We recommend spending 1-2 days in Lima before the wedding begins to get acclimated and enjoy some of the finest food in the world, but if you have some time you can come as early as you want. There is lots to explore in Lima as well as in Cusco/Machu Picchu after the wedding. To experience Machu Picchu you’ll need at least 2 days to account for travel and sightseeing.
Lima
Guide to Lima
We recommend spending at least 1-2 days in Lima to properly experience one of the most famous foodie hubs in the world. Uber works in Lima and we recommend taking Ubers between locations for convenience.
Where to eat in Lima
Chifa Hou Wha $$
Carlos Tenaud 490, Miraflores 15046, Peru
Try our favorite Chifa spot in all of Lima. Look inside their Bible sized menu to find some amazing dishes. Chifa cuisine combines the best of Chinese cuisine with the rich spices and affectations of Peruvian cuisine to make for something truly unique and delcious. It’s also very affordable.
La Mar Cevichería Peruana $$$
Av. Mariscal La Mar 770, Miraflores 15074, Peru
La Mar has some of the finest Ceviche you can find in Lima. The menu features various styles of ceviche, from the popular ceviche de conchas negras (mangrove cockles), to the fusion ceviche Lima-Seoul with Korean chilies, to ceviche de erizos de Marcona (Marcona sea urchin). But if you’re after a ceviche to remember, go for ceviche fogoso, which includes crab, sea urchin, market fish, and mangrove cockles dressed up with a leche de tigre of rocotos (red hot Peruvian peppers).
Canta Rana $$
Genova 101, Barranco 15063, Peru
If you’re looking for a more laid-back Ceviche experience head to Canta Rana. The ceviche is still world-famously delicious but features a more relaxed atmosphere and pricepoint than La Mar.
Cala $$$
Cto. of Beaches, Barranco 15063, Peru
If you’re looking for an amazing oceanfront atmosphere and more than just Ceviche head to Cala which has a diverse menu and cocktails in a polished setting.
Things to see in Lima
Miraflores Boardwalk
Take a long walk along the Miraflores boardwalk where you will find stunning ocean views and life-size sculptures all along the pathway.
Historic Center of Lima
Known as the “Ciudad de los Reyes” (City of Kings), is located in the Rimac valley, and was founded by Spanish conqueror Francisco Pizarro in January 1535 on the territories led by the Chiefdom of Rimac. Here you’ll find the richest cultural bouquet of Peruvian history. Here museums, churches, cathedrals and historic sites abound.
If you’re feeling wild give the tour of the Catacombs of San Francisco a try.
Machu Picchu
Machu Picchu Guide
If you want to visit Machu Picchu, you can take a short, cheap flight from Lima to Cusco. The flights leave around every hour and we recommend flying LATAM as they’re reliable and a provide a quality but affordable flight experience. From the Cusco airport there are taxis services that will take you straight to the train station to go to Machu Picchu, we recommend you to go online and coordinate a taxi pick up at the airport when you buy your train tickets or to ask your hotel in Lima to arrange a taxi for you in Cusco. There are several different scenic train rides designed for tourists that begin at Cusco Train Station and take you all the way to Aguas Calientes (the town beneath Machu Picchu).
The train ride will get you there in two hours approximately and you can choose between either Inca Rail or Peru Rail. Between the two lines there are different rates and different kinds of trains featuring things like a panoramic windows so you can take in more of the view as well as different seating options. But ultimately both are excellently designed and will provide you with one of the most visually stunning train rides of your life so you can’t really go wrong.
Book tickets early
There is a limited number of visitors allowed in the ruins of Machu Picchu at any given time so its important to book early if you want to secure your spot.
You will be able to book your entry ticket, shuttle bus, your guide, optional hikes, and even your lunch (if you’d like) all in one spot.
You should also try to book your train to Aguas Calientes early as well as it can sell out.
How and when to get to the ruins
Luckily for you one of the best times to visit Machu Picchu is in May since the rainy season is over and heavy tourist season has not yet kicked in.
The best times to see the ruins are either 6am so you can see the sunrise or after 3pm to see the sunset.
Once you’ve arrived in Aguas Calientes via train all you’ll have to do is meet up with your tour guide at the location they give you in Aguas Calientes and take a beautiful bus ride from Aguas up into the ruins (all of this can be purchased in your package on the government website link above).
If you’d like to take your time and see the endearing town of Aguas Calientes you can stay in a hotel there for a night and meet your tour guide the next day.
If you have trouble with altitudes its recommended to purchase some Coca leaves in Aguas Calientes and chew on them as you make your ascent upwards in the bus to help your body acclimate to the change in altitude.
Reccomended add-on hikes
If you want as much of the ruins as possible you can also add hikes onto your ticket package.
We recommend Huayna Picchu peak if you’re comfortable with steep elevation climbs. It is the highest peak in Machu Picchu and offers stunning views of the ruins, but from above. You’ll also encounter additional Incan artifacts and ruins as you make your way through the trail.
If you’re looking for a gentler hike that’s also free you can trek along the Sun Gate (about two hours round trip along a relatively gentle trail with few stairs) for fantastic views of the overall site.
Or if you’re looking for a hardcore hike you can take the 4 day Inca Trail hike and retrace the original steps the Incans would take to get atop Machu Picchu. This hike isn’t an option on the Machu Picchu booking site but can be booked separately with a guide on several websites online.
Hotel options in Aguas Calientes
Although you can easily make it to the ruins in time for a visit from your hotel in Urubamba, if you’d like you can stay some time at a hotel in Aguas Calientes (at the base of the Machu Picchu mountains).
Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel $$$$
Aguas Calientes 08681, Peru
Our personal recommendation, this is one of the most magical hotels we’ve ever stayed at. Take a step into another world filled with waterfalls, gardens, exotic birds, and the most orchids in one place anywhere in the world. It is not cheap but it is worth it.
El MaPi Hotel byInkaterra $$$
Ave Pachacutec 109, Aguas Calientes 08681, Peru
Taypikala Boutique Machupicchu $$
Ave Pachacutec 808, Aguas Calientes 08681, Peru